Chapter 1323: Jiang Sect Leader Really Likes It

Venerable Zhenyan's crystalline eyes trembled.

"So, in just over a month, he recovered from a Five Aperture Nascent Soul to an Eight Aperture Nascent Soul?"

"And he forged a completely new path to Soul Transformation, different from his previous one?"

She struggled for a long time to calm her emotions. A hint of shame appeared on her jade-like face.

"When he emerged from seclusion to see me, he must have wanted to show me the results of his retreat, right? But I was so distracted by Jiang Fan that I didn't even notice he had recovered to an Eight Aperture Nascent Soul. As a result, not only did I not praise him, I even struck him."

Thinking of this, she bit her lip slightly. "Jiang Fan, you complete menace! You're going to tear apart the master-disciple relationship between me and Chen Jing. I'm drawing the line with you!"

***

Immortal Cloud Sect. A small sect.

*Thud*—

A head rolled to the ground, scattering blood as it spun several times before slowly coming to a stop. Its terrified eyes reflected a hellish scene. The entire sect was filled with corpses. Some were hung on stone pillars, others lay dead on rooftops, and still more were strewn across the stairs. Dazzling fresh blood converged into rivers, staining the vast square crimson. Mutilated flesh and broken bones were scattered everywhere.

Amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood stood a black-robed elder with blood-stained hands and a grim expression. He clutched the Immortal Cloud Sect Master's neck, his voice cold, as if from hell itself.

"One last time, where is Wang Chongxiao?"

The Immortal Cloud Sect Master's hands had been torn off, his stomach ripped open, and his hair was disheveled and face covered in blood. He had clearly endured much torture. He pleaded desperately, "The Wang Chongxiao from our Immortal Cloud Sect merely shares the same name as the one you're looking for! And he has already been killed by you. I truly don't know the Wang Chongxiao you're seeking."

Venerable Sinister Heart's gaze was indifferent. With a slight twist, the Immortal Cloud Sect Master's neck was snapped. He dropped the head, flicked the bloodstains from his sleeve, and surveyed the corpses on the ground. He said plainly, "I was forced into this. The Young Emperor only gave me five days left. I can only choose to kill a thousand rather than let a single one escape."

He looked around, ensuring the Immortal Cloud Sect had been completely annihilated and no one would report to the Grand Wine Sacrificer. Only then did he narrow his eyes and look towards the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. "My nominal disciple, all talk and no action, surely he doesn't think my possessions are so easily acquired?"

Malice flickered in his brows. Jiang Fan had repeatedly claimed he would mobilize the Great Yin Sect's forces to help him search for Wang Chongxiao. However, nothing had come of it. Now, with the Young Emperor's deadline fast approaching, Jiang Fan had yet to take any action. He felt as if he had been deceived.

With a thought, he instantly teleported towards the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

***

Meanwhile, at the Great Yin Sect.

Feng Yuanzong sat with his legs crossed, listening to his disciples report on their tasks. "Junior Brother Feng, the sect's protective grand formation has been thoroughly inspected and repaired. Our reserves of healing elixirs and various talismans have also reached their peak. Finally, all the yin corpses stored in the sect for many years have been checked. They're just waiting for Sect Master Jiang to return so they can be distributed to us."

Feng Yuanzong now looked very much like the new Sect Master of the Great Yin Sect. In Jiang Fan's absence, he had been issuing commands throughout the sect. Hearing the first two points, he nodded in satisfaction, clearly enjoying the taste of commanding the entire sect. However, upon hearing the last point, his brows furrowed into a knot.

"What nonsense 'Sect Master Jiang'? He was just going through the motions; did you really take it seriously? From now on, no more talk of 'Sect Master Jiang.' The Great Yin Sect only needs me and the elders! It's not Jiang Fan's place to speak!"

The senior disciple, chastised, awkwardly replied, "Yes, Junior Brother Feng."

Just then, dark clouds suddenly billowed above the Great Yin Sect. It had been daytime moments ago, but in the blink of an eye, it turned pitch black. Then, the dark clouds receded, transforming into six figures, each radiating monstrous demonic energy, with faint black divine halos shimmering behind their heads. The aura they emanated was like terrifying, world-destroying tidal waves.

Feng Yuanzong, who had been comfortably reclining, shuddered violently and tumbled from his lounge chair. Looking up at the six imposing figures, he gasped. "Soul Transformation Venerables? Six Soul Transformation Venerables?"

The Eight Aperture Nascent Souls of the Great Yin Sect rushed out, their faces collectively showing shock and horror. "They're Demonic Path Venerables from the Great Barren State! How... how could so many Demonic Path Venerables come to our Great Yin Sect? Who provoked them?"

It was no wonder they speculated this way, because the expressions of the six Demonic Path Venerables were not particularly friendly. Anyone "volunteering" to look after Jiang Fan's sect wouldn't be in a good mood.

Venerable Aspirationless and Venerable Red Dust, two Venerables in the second stage of Heavenly and Human Decline, descended first. Venerable Aspirationless forced a smile. "Is this the Great Yin Sect?"

An elder who was an Eight Aperture Nascent Soul swallowed hard and stammered, "Y-yes, this is indeed the Great Yin Sect. May I ask, Senior Venerable, what brings you here?"

Venerable Aspirationless then asked, "Is Sect Master Jiang here?"

They were looking for Jiang Fan? Could it be that Jiang Fan had brought this disaster upon them?

Feng Yuanzong quickly interjected, "Reporting to the Senior Venerables, Sect Master Jiang is not currently in the sect."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Red Dust was greatly disappointed. "He's not here? I was hoping to be thoroughly coerced and ravaged by him. What a shame."

Venerable Aspirationless dropped his smile and scoffed, "It's better if he's not here. I don't want to see him either." With that, he waved his hand, and three formation plates inscribed with ancient runes appeared in his palm. "These are grand defensive formations from my Demon Abyss. Each plate can withstand one Soul Transformation attack. These three formation plates are a small token of goodwill from my Demon Abyss to the Great Yin Sect. You can accept them on behalf of your Sect Master Jiang."

With these three formation plates, they could withstand three direct attacks from the Ancient Giant King. They were absolutely rare and priceless treasures at the moment.

Venerable Red Dust reluctantly took out a brocade pouch and said, "I originally intended to give this to Sect Master Jiang by his bedside, but now you can keep it. Inside is my Myriad Demon Cave's 'Red Dust Illusionary Sound.' When released, it can cause even Venerables to hallucinate and lose themselves." This was also an unparalleled treasure for resisting the Giant King.

Seeing this, the other four Venerables also "voluntarily" generously offered their contributions. Staring at the precious treasures in his hands, Feng Yuanzong swallowed repeatedly. "These... these were all for the Great Yin Sect?"

Just as he was about to accept them, the experienced and steady Eight Aperture Nascent Soul quickly realized and interjected, "Reporting to all Senior Venerables, you should perhaps be heading to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets." It was clear these were treasures bestowed by the Venerables upon Jiang Fan. Daring to claim them for himself would be truly not knowing how to spell death.

Venerable Red Dust was surprised. "Didn't he introduce himself as the Sect Master of the Great Yin Sect?"

The Eight Aperture Nascent Soul elder awkwardly replied, "That's his part-time position. His main position is the Chief Deputy Pavilion Master of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets."

"Part... part-time?" Venerable Red Dust and Venerable Aspirationless exchanged glances, both a little bewildered. Wasn't the Great Yin Sect one of the Three Divine Sects of the Tai Cang Great State? Could someone really hold a part-time position there? If the Great Yin Sect was just a part-time role, then what kind of existence was the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, his main occupation?

Venerable Aspirationless retrieved his formation plates, a curious expression on his face. "This is quite unexpected. There's such a mysterious sect in the Tai Cang Great State?"

Venerable Red Dust also took back her brocade pouch and chuckled, "It seems I still have a chance to be *thoroughly suppressed* by Sect Master Jiang."

The other Venerables, one after another, retrieved their items. After clarifying the location of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, they all instantly teleported away.

Feng Yuanzong was left with a pained expression. "Those treasures... couldn't they have left just a little for our Great Yin Sect? Isn't our Great Yin Sect also Jiang Fan's sect? How can they treat us so differently?"